New Mazda CX-80 Lands In Malaysian Showrooms With Mild Hybrid Diesel
Mazda’s SUV range featuring their “CX” prefix is getting very crowded at the Hiroshima company. In addition to the CX-90, CX-60 and CX-70, that are already on the market, the tiny Japanese carmaker has just debuted the all-new CX-80 in Malaysia. This SUV, which also serves as the flagship in Mazda’s European product lineup, is the first three-row SUV to be released on the continent.
Following the CX-90, the CX-80 is the second vehicle to be constructed on the firm’s Large Product Group platform. With dimensions of 4,995 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width, and 1,710 mm in height, it is around the same size as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Volvo XC90.
As it turns out, the CX-80 is much taller and longer than the CX-60, being 104 mm slimmer and 105 mm shorter than the larger CX-90. In addition, the CX-80 is marginally shorter, slimmer, and smaller than the CX-9, which is sold in Malaysia.
From the outside, the CX-80 appears to be a stretched CX-60 and is designed using the brand’s Kodo style. It has standard equipment including LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. It is however, devoid of the exhaust pipe garnish that is a highlight of the rear end—which Mazda claims delivers a more sophisticated look.
Regarding performance, there are two hybrid powertrain options for the CX-80. The “e-SKyActiv PHEV” plug-in hybrid drivetrain is the first of the two. With this configuration—that comprises an electric motor, a 17.8kWh battery, and a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated inline-4 petrol engine, the SUV provides an all-electric range of 60 km. With a system output rated at 328 hp and 500 Nm, the CX-80 can jump from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 195 km/h. Pretty impressive!
The “e-SKYACTIV D” diesel mild hybrid (MHEV) powertrain, which has a 3.3-litre inline 6-cylinder turbodiesel engine with the brand’s M Hybrid Boost, is the second available powertrain option. With a rated power output of 245 hp and 550 Nm, the vehicle can reach a top speed of 219 km/h in 8.4 seconds. An 8-speed automatic transmission with a tilt towards the rear drives all four wheels when combined with either of the two powerplants.
The CX-80’s interior can have seven seats or six, with captain seats for a roomier and more comfortable interior. Mazda boasts that the CX-80’s boot offers enough room for a golf bag or a baby pram, even with the third-row seats folded up.
Tri-zone air conditioning, a 12.3-inch touchscreen screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and Amazon Alexa voice control are among the interior upgrades that come with the new Mazda CX-80. Additionally, a memory feature that restores settings for a specific driver using facial recognition is available.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
This series of SUVs is Mazda’s big hope for the rest of the decade. The Hiroshima company has put a huge amount of work and money into perfecting a bunch of SUVs that employ rather sizable 6-cylinder engines—the type of powerplants that most carmakers and buyers are trying to get away from. To be honest though, even if these engines are good—and they are, the fact that they are big 6-cylinder engines powering big SUVs is a little off-putting for some. And pardon my French, but merely adding a mild hybrid in this day and age, is like putting a bandaid on a serious cut.